Improvement in brick-machines



U Nrrnn FRANCIS L. HALL, OF ONEIDA, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN BRICK-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 116,587, dated July 4, 1871.

To all whom t may concern.-

Beit known that I, Farmers L. HALL, of Oneida, in the county of Madison and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Brick-Machines, and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part ofthe same, and in which- Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my improved brick-machine and truck therefor. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section of the same and truck. Fig. 3 is a plan view of my machine with the driving mechanism removed. Fig. l is an inverted view thereof' and a section through the dotted line x a; of Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is a section of a portion of the same through the dotted line y y of' Fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference in the several figures refer to like parts.

This invention has reference to an improved brick-machine 5 and it consists of the means used in removingl obstructions that are found to interfere with the proper working of the machine at that point where the slide or follower which pushes the bricks or cla-y from under the molding-chamber performs the work just mentioned, of the construction of the clay-knives and their combination and arrangement with stationary plates or bars arranged and secured within the receptacle for receiving the clay 5 of the means used for regulating-the pressure of the follower' or press of' the molding-chamber upon the clay while luidergoing formation to make the brick all constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as hereinafter' described and claimed.

To enable those skilled or unskilled in the art to which my invention appertains to make and use the same, I will proceed to describe it.

A in the annexed drawing refers to a receptacle or case for the reception of the clay, from which it is desired to make the bricks, and within which is placed an upright shaft, B, having its bearings in a bar, b, fastened to the upper ends of two of the sides of said receptacle, and in an aperture made in the bottom of the latter. rlo the upper extremity of this shaft is attached a double-beveled gear, b1, for the double purpose of' transmitting motion from any suitable drivingpower to the shaft B, and to the pinion b2 upon the "shaft b3, from which motion is communicated to an eccentric driving the shaft to which the follower or press of the molding-chamber is attached. C Clrefer to a series of metallic bars or plates entering each ofthe four sides of the receptacle A, and constructed at their centers with ferrules or rings embracing the upright shaft B, through which the latter p asses in such a manner as to permit of its being revolved. These bars are placed and secured alternatelyin different directions, as shown in Fig. 2, as are also the knives C2 G3, in conjunction with which they operate, when the latter are put in motion, for the purpose of grinding or cutting the clay. (l2 C3 refer to the knives, which are constructed in an S-shape and made to pass through apertures in the shaft B, in the manner above stated, and fastened thereto at their centers, from which it will be seen that their blades, which are of opposite curvatures, as already stated, are brought in such a position with relation to the bars C (l1, when revolved, as to act upon the principle of the action of the blades of a pair of shears or scissors, whereby the clay being operated upon is thoroughly ground orV pulverized. The knives C;l G3 are so arranged with reference to the bars G C1 as that, when they are revolved, each one of the same will be brought in contact alternately with` the one above and the one below it, whereby an increased utility of', the knives is obtained. l) refers to an eccentric secured upon one end of the shaft b3, having the pinion b2 above referred to, and supplied around its periphery with a right-angular flange which iits and revolves between frictional rollers fastened to the upper' end ofthe shaft D1, as shown in Figs. l and 2. D1 refers to a shaft, which receives a vertically-sliding motion from the eccentric l), which it communicates to the follower or press d of the molding-chamber D2, f'or the purpose of causing the said follower' to push the clay through apertures or molding-openings di al in said chamber, when said clay has been pushed from the receptacle A through an aperture d2, previous to which the follower a being elevated by the said eccentric and shaft for that purpose. The shaft l)IL passes through and is guided by means of' a perroi-ated block or guide, a, fastened to one side of the receptacle A, and supplied with a frictional roller, a', in contact with which the said shaft is brought in passing through the aperture of the block or guide above referred to. e refers to a metallic frame, secured, by means of screws or otherwise,to the shaft D1',the curvilinear portion of which is supplied with a series of apertures. el refers to an eccentric, hung within a slot made in the shaft D1 upon an axle, to one end of which is attached a handle, e2, having an aperture. The devices e e1 e2 constitute means for regulating the pressure of the follower d of the molding-chamber D2, as it will be seen that when the handle e2 is thrown or turned in one or the other direction the eccentric el will be brought in contact with bars secured to the follower d and depress the same, or latter', when elevated, or when depressed be relieved therefrom, whereby the said follower may be elevated at any desired point and there held by securing the handle e2 to the frame e by passing a pin through the aperture in said handle and one of the apertures of the said frame.

' The raising and lowering of the follower d, it will be observed, brin gs it nearer or places it further from the clay or brick in the molding-chamber; consequently, as the shaft D1, to which the follower d is attached, is operated or raised and lowered, the said follower will be brought with greater or lesser force or pressure upon the clay. d refers to the follower above alluded to, which iits and slides vertically within the moldin gchamber or receptacle, and which is fastened to the lower ends of two uprights or bars, d3 d3, against the upper ends of which rests the eccentric el, the said uprights being connected together and held to the shaft D1 by means of two bars or pins, d4 d, placed a short distance apart and passing through an elongated slot made in the said shaft and forming a continuation of that within which the eccentric c1 is placed. By means of the slot within which the pins d4 d4 fit the follower d is permitted to have a vertically-sliding motion, when such is required, in regulating its pressure upon the clay undergoing formation to make the brick. D2 refers to the m'oldin g-chainber or receptacle, which is attached by suitable means to the receptacle A, and into which the clay, after having passed through the cutting operation in the said receptacle A, is thrust through the opening d2 by the rectangula-r-sha-pcd inclined knives or carriers C3 C3, (see Fig. 2,) and caused thereby to fall upon the bottom of said chamber or receptacle D2, which is supplied with a series of rectangular-shaped openings, d1 d1, through which the clay is pressed by the follower el, as above stated, into the shape of the brick, from whence it falls into the mold placed upon the platform, supplied with rollers for assisting in carrying it therefrom to the truck used for receiving and conveying it, after having been converted into bricks or brick-form, to the desired destination. d'5 refers to the strike,7 a blade or bar with its lower edge beveled, for givingasmooth surface to the upper part of thebrick or clay, which fits and has a slightly-vertical movement within a wed ge-sliaped aperture or slot made in a bar or support fastened to the lower front edge of the molding-receptacle D2, and operated upon by a spring, d, which is held down thereon by means of a bar or projection attached to said receptacle, and against which the apex of the convex surface of said spring rests. The said strike smooths the brick or bricks as it or they pass from under the chamber or receptacle D2. E refers to a platform, which is hinged or pivoted at the rear ends of its side or longitudinal bars to the rear legs F F of the receptacle A, and having rollers for assisting the follower G in removing the clay or bricks in their molds from it. This platform is supplied with a leaf, E', hinged thereto in such a manner as to rest in an inclined position, said leaf being supplied with rollers which, in connection with its inclination, finnish a ready and quick means for conveying the bricks in their molds from the said platform to the track l, to be hereinafter described. G refers to the follower, or a slide above referred to, which is supplied with grooved side pieces secured at right angles thereto, and which receive and slide on rails fastened to the lower side of the receptacle A. (See Fig. 5.) The side pieces of the said follower are also supplied with frictional rollers, as shown in the lastnamed figure. To the follower G is attached one end of a cord, g, which passes over a pulley, g1,

having its bearings within an aperture made in an upright, g2, secured to the receptacle A, the opposite end of said cord being supplied with a weight, g3, which, after the said follower has been carried forward by the eccentric or cam upon the shaft B to the full extent of the cord g, returns the said follower to the point from whence it was taken by the said eccentric.- The forward movement of the said slide or follower carries or pushes the mold lz., inserted through the opening h of the receptacle A, directly under the molding-ch amber D1, where the said mold receives the brick or clay, and from whence said mold is conveyed, by the means above described, to a truck. H refers to an eccentric, made preferably of an S-shape, and secured to the lower extremity of the upright shaft B, theV object of which being for the purpose of imparting a forward movement to the slide or follower G, which it does by revolving the shaft B, causing its convex surfaces-to be broughtin contact with a frictional roller, g4, with which the said follower is furnished. g4 refers to a frictional roller, above referred to, which has its bearings upon a vertical axle or shaft secured to a bar, g5, made of spring metal, or of suflicient elasticity to act in the capacity of a spring, and placed and secured by suitable means within an aperture of a wedge or other suitable shape, whereby it may have lateral movement at that end which supports the said roller g4, the office of which will be described hereinafter. g is a bar or lever which is attached at its inner end to the spring g5, and entering a recess made in the lower side of the slide or follower G, within which .it is held by a metallic plate, the outer end of said lever being made to come in contact with a straight fiat spring, gl, fastened at one end to a pendent bar or plate o f the receptacle A, and to the said receptacle itself, its opposite or forward end being made to enter a recess madeY in one of the front legs FF,

so as to permit of its having room in which to operate or have lateral movement when pressure is applied thereto through the lever g5, as more fully explained hereinafter. J J refer to eccentrics or cams, which are pivoted to bars j fastened to the l front legs of the receptacle A, and connected to:

i l i l gether by means of a bar, l7. Upon these eccentrics rests the front end ofthe platform E, and by means of which the said end thereof may be depressed, and after which elevated to its original position, in the manner hereinafter described. K refers to a lever, which is attached at one end to one of the eccentrics J J, and supplied at its opposite end with an aperture, which, when said lever is elevated, receives a projection, k, fastened to one side of' the receptacle A. This lever is also supplied with a weight, 7c', attached thereto by a cord.

It will be remarked that, by way of illustrating or explaining the office of the devices herein described constituting the means for removing obstructions that are found to interfere with the proper working' of the m achine, the bricks, in passing from un der the molding-chamber or receptacle D2, are at times caught or hel d between it and the platform E by stones or other obstructions; in th e event of which the operation of the machine has to be stopped until they are removed, or, if not stopped, the risk of seriously damaging the machine has to be run. The object ofthe above is to obviate these disadvantages, and the operation thereof is as follows: Then the machine is in motion the eccentric Il will strike the frictional roller g4 of the follower' G and carry said follower, with its mold l?, forward to the bricks or clay having been precipitated from the moldingchamber D2 down into said mold-plates upon the platform E, which, in case they or the said mold should be caught and held betweenthe said chamber and platform, by the interference of stones or other obstructions, will be freed therefrom, as the said frictional roller will yield laterally by reason of the spring g5 and push the lever g against the springI gT, which will in turn throw the lever K off the projection k. The said lever, after having been relieved from the projection r, will, by means of its weight lo', be depressed, operating the ecccntrics J J in such a manner as to cause that end of' the pivoted platform E, upon which the bricks in their mold rest, to be lowered, consequently allowing them to pass therefrom to their proper destination. I refers to a truck for conveying the bricks from the platform E of the machine, which consists of a slatted frame supported at its center upon an axle with a spring and wheels, and at its ends upon supports or bifurcated bars, which are supplied at their lower ends with small wheels or trucks. This truck is furnished with a handle or pole, i, which is held to the said truck by means of clips or staples, whereby it maybe slipped back and forth so as to furnish a handle for either end of said truck for convenience of drawing the same.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The follower G, in combination with the friction al roller g4, lever g, and spring g5, constructed and arranged to operate substantially as shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. The lever K, weight k', eecentrics J J, and hinged or pivotcd platform E, combined, arranged, and operating substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. rIhe combination of the followerG, frictional roller g4, spring g5, lever gs, spring g?, lever K, weight la', eccentric J J, and hinged or pivoted platform E, all arranged to operate substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

4. The eccentric el, frame e, and handle c2, in combination with the shaft D1 and follower d, constructed and arranged to operate substantially as shown, and for the purpose described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have hereunto set my hand this 24th day of' March, A. I). 1871, in presence of two subscribin g witnesses.

FRANCIS 'L. HALL.

Witnesses:

J. E. FERRY, J. D. Tlnniis. 

